These ninth-ranked Clemson Tigers were supposed to be really good. They had the talent. They had the hype. They loomed for months as this tough test, a scary first game with the potential to expose Alabama's weaknesses to the entire country. No, there would be no taking it easy, no saving plays for the future. The Crimson Tide would have to play all its cards in order to see where it stands this season.

The answer: Alabama is indeed tougher, improved and able to match expectations, but Clemson is none of the above. The Tigers got into the headlights Saturday night and froze, unable to fight back when knocked down again and again. To its credit, the Tide certainly took advantage.

Now, Nick Saban stessed afterward that it's only one game and there are 11 to play. That's true. Alabama still has a long way to go. Weaknesses are still there, though they were masked by a lifeless Clemson side that responded like it somewhere better to be than the Georgia Dome on Saturday night. You kept waiting for the Tigers to make a run -- like most teams the Tide jumped on last season -- but it never happened.

Things haven't been easy for the Tide in a long time. But this was.

Despite Saban's intentions to downplay the victory, Saturday was a big night for this program. Alabama needed this kind of win -- national stage, neutral site, top 10 opponent -- to get where it ultimately wants to go. More than any, this will stand out as a turning point game for the entire program, no matter what happens the rest of 2008.

Alabama has every right to feel proud for the obvious effort and preparation that went into the biggest step so far of Saban's process.

GAME COVERAGE

- Check out my game story from today's Press-Register.
- The night's notebook leads with the success of Atlanta's newest sporting event, one which likely will include Alabama again next year.
- Press-Register sports editor Randy Kennedy wraps up a surprising night with hisgame column.
- Huntsville Times columnist Mark McCarter recaps the "mismatch."
- Paul Gattis explores Clemson's lack of a rushing attack. The Tigers finished with zero ground yards.
- And my beat report on the Tide is as complimentary as it has been in a while.
- ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel says Alabama is ahead of schedule.

From Clemson ...
- It was "positively devastating," writes beat writer Larry Williams of the Charleston Post & Courier
- Columnist Ron Morris of The State points out how far the ACC appears to have fallen.
- Check out the notebook from Greg Wallace of the Anderson Independent-Mail.

THE BIG NUMBERS

0

Rushing yards by Clemson

8

Members of the 2008 signing class who played in the first six minutes

6

Red zone scores out of six attempts for Alabama

0

Turnover total for Alabama

41:13

Alabama's time of possession, almost 12 minutes more than its 2007 average

GAME BALLS

NT Terrence Cody
No newcomer on Alabama's team has made as much of an impact as Cody. The big man in the middle changed the entire complexion of the Tide's defense, changing a defensive line that often failed to control the line of scrimmage into a dominant force. Clemson stood no chance to block Cody one-on-one. Really, the Tigers couldn't do it with two linemen, and as the pocket was shoved back time after time, runs were stuffed and lanes opened for defensive ends to pressure the passer. I'm not sure how any team can stop this from happening.

TE Nick Walker
Alabama's best pass-catcher Saturday night was not named Julio or B.J. or even Mike McCoy. It was Walker, the tall, rangy senior who has all the tools to be a serious threat in Jim McElwain's offense. Walker topped his career high with six catches in the first half. He finished with team highs in receptions (seven) and yards (67). The more the Tide moves him around the field, the toughest he will be for defenses to track. Focus on Walker, and Julio and the others are there. Focus on Julio, as Clemson did, and Walker can find space to beat you.

THREE UP

Strength and conditioning: One wonders if Clemson had any this offseason, and if Alabama's ever quit. The Crimson Tide pushed the Tigers around Atlanta for the better part of three hours. These battles were won long before they were fought.Jim McElwain: Alabama's offense may not put up tons of points and stats this season, but it will very rarely get the Tide beat. The idea Saturday was to line it up and run right at Clemson, mixing that in with short, play-action passes. It worked, showing everyone that Alabama will be a very tough team in games when it can run effectively.Saban and the Dome: It's no wonder Saban wants to open the 2009 season in the Georgia Dome. He won the 2001 SEC title there with LSU. And the 2003 title. And now this opener with Alabama.

THREE DOWN

Kick coverage: To nitpick, Alabama allowed a touchdown by way of kickoff return. That did not happen once during the 2007 season, a weakness that could prove costly down the road.Terry Grant: Last year's leading rusher and the big-play man of the A-Day Game carried only four times for minus-3 yards. Glen Coffee, Mark Ingram and Roy Upchurch each received greater roles. What happened to Grant?The ACC: The team roundly projected to win the Atlantic Coast Conference didn't score an offensive touchdown against a team picked to finish in the middle of the SEC. Either Alabama is really good or this is to be a really long year for the big bad basketball league.

NEXT UP

Tulane was off this opening weekend, but it's not as if the Green Wave was able to kick back and leisurely watch Alabama's game. With Hurricane Gustav barreling toward the Gulf Coast, Tulane relocated to Birmingham, Ala. It will practice at Samford University heading into next Saturday's 6 p.m. game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Obviously, that's not an ideal situation for a team that will be a heavy underdog.